Desford Manager Owen Wright said it was a case of two points dropped rather than one gained, as his side squandered numerous chances against lowly Saffron Dynamo, writes Stewart Bint.

“If we could play our proper passing game to its full potential for the full 90 minutes, we’d be almost unbeatable, but we only do it in dribs and drabs.”

Desford’s equalising goal in this Leicestershire Premier Division clash came at the end of a fine three pass move, with Simon Goodman getting the final touch.

Although the hosts had the best of the first half opportunities, they switched off after 35 minutes to gift Saffron the opener. John Manning let a simple pass slide under his foot for a throw in. Desford failed to defend the resulting move, allowing the ball to be flicked on for Dan Barber to turn and slam a fine half volley into the top left hand corner.

Despite efforts from Jimmy Costello, Goodman and Eboney Asante, the visitors kept their lead intact up to the break.

But four minutes after the restart Desford were back in it with Goodman’s strike. And they could have taken the lead on two occasions in quick succession. Only a diving save from keeper Ben Davies kept out Goodman’s powerful header from Aaron Dignum’s free kick on the half-way line, and Saffron’s Karl Hampshire did just enough to stop Asante pulling the trigger after the midfielder broke into free space.

For Saffron, their substitute Josh Kind caused some 72nd minute panic in the penalty area, but Desford’s defence held firm. And just seconds later Gary Seal wasted an opportunity for the visitors on the edge of the box.

Desford certainly finished the stronger, and Asante thought he’d won it when he latched on to Shaun Hunt’s fine through ball deep in stoppage time. But his shot ricocheted harmlessly away off the post.

Up and coming teenage star Jack Carey was given a free solo role marginally ahead of the back four in the 4-1-4-1 formation which suited his crisp style, and his outstanding performance earned him Wright’s man-of-the-match award.